Chargers Blow It Against Oakland; Chiefs Control AFC West

The San Diego Chargers are making things very, very difficult on themselves. Philip Rivers and Co. just dropped their sixth game of the season to the Oakland Raiders in a game they absolutely had to win. When you turn in a dud in Week 13 against Oakland with the season nearly on the line, you may deserve to miss the playoffs.

What the Chargers loss does is put the Kansas City Chiefs in complete control of the AFC West. I may even say that they have room for error as they now lead the AFC West by two games with four to play, including the showdown in San Diego next week.

The Chiefs are 8-4 with remaining games at Chargers, at St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans and Raiders. The Chargers are now 6-6 with remaining games against the Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, at Cincinnati Bengals and at Denver Broncos. The Raiders are also 6-6 with remaining games at Jaguars, Broncos, Colts and at Chiefs. The Broncos move to 3-9 and remain out of the AFC West conversation.

Here's how the AFC West standings are looking right now:

1. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)

2. Oakland Raiders (6-6)

3. San Diego Chargers (6-6)

4. Denver Broncos (3-9)